Final answer:
The first Remington typewriter struggled initially because it was a complex, new technology and handwritten documents were still the norm. Also, automated typesetting machines like Monotype and Linotype were gaining popularity in printing, overshadowing the typewriter's appeal in commercial settings.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first Remington typewriter sold poorly primarily due to its mechanical complexity and the unfamiliarity of potential users with typewritten documents. During that time, typewriters were a novel technology, and many people were accustomed to handwritten correspondence. Moreover, the advancements in automated typesetting technologies like the Monotype and Linotype machines, which represented significant improvements in efficiency and productivity for large-scale printing operations, were becoming more widespread.
These machines were capable of casting and setting type far quicker than manual methods, making them more appealing to businesses that required efficient printing solutions. Despite attempts to market the typewriter as a desirable new tool, through advertisements like the one referenced in the query that promoted it as a new model, the initial traction in the market was slow.